Orwellian double-speak from Minister Laurel Broten

Oshawa This Week

To the editor:

Provincial education minister Laurel Broten's press conference on Jan. 3 was full of double-speak and twisting of facts.

The term "collective agreement" in this case is certainly Orwellian double-speak since no "agreement" was reached. Also, a "contract" implies agreement between parties involved. The government simply imposed legislation which forces conditions of employment on employees. Ms. Broten implies that negotiators walked out after one hour of talks while much more time negotiating was spent since that February timeline she quotes.

Agreements not ratified? That's the result of the Province rejecting negotiated agreements before they could be ratified. Teachers long ago accepted a two-year wage freeze contrary to Ms. Broten's implication that they had not. A fair agreement? This speaks only about fairness to the government's position. A statement of fairness cannot be made on behalf of the parties involved if they did not all agree to the terms. Until then, it is only a one-sided opinion, not fact.

Bill 115 itself is a severe impediment to bargaining in good faith. It is basically saying you can have any negotiated contract you want, as long as it's this one. Even unionized workers declared essential and who legally cannot strike have the right to arbitration, which is denied in Bill 115.

To now repeal bill 115 to appease teachers is laughable. The purpose has been served. It's like imposing capital punishment to dispose of one person and when he/she is gone, repealing that law. This is convenient in some countries, but outrageous in ours.

This from a person who not so long ago said teachers should be at work, not on strike, while her government prorogued the legislature for political gain. When will we get politicians who are transparent and honest and not just out for their own political gain?